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Coca Cola Freestyle Machine (Photo credit: daveynin)

Do you enjoy relaxing with a quiet meal out, away from the television and the personal devices? If so, finding that oasis of technology-free dining is getting harder all the time. For those who think technology can enhance their restaurant meal, though, there are some great new gadgets coming to both sit-down restaurants and fast-food joints.

Here's a look at five tech innovations that are changing the way we eat out:

1. Coca-Cola Freestyle. Casual eateries are flocking to this new soft-drink machine. Instead of the usual half-a-dozen choices at the self-serve soda fountain, the Freestyle allows you to mix your own custom selection from more than 100 choices. Lots of the fast-food chains are picking this one up. My family encountered it at a new Wendy's burger restaurant recently, and the kids couldn't get enough of it. Root beer-orange-cola, anyone?

2. Visual Impressions beer kiosk. No more wading through lengthy paper beer menus -- the beer kiosk lets you flip through and quickly pick the brew of your choice.

3. The iPad. Have you ever worried that when your waiter takes your credit card in the back, they're duplicating your card and stealing your information? You're not the only one. That's why more restaurants are using iPads combined with Square or other payment gizmos to accept your card right at your table. New apps may have your server taking your order electronically too, rather than scribbling something illegible on a pad that the chef can misread. You should be able to ditch the loyalty punchcard and get your favorite restaurant to track your visit on an app soon, too.

Other eateries including Chili's Grill & Bar, Applebee's and Chevys Fresh Mex will hand your kid a tablet to play on while you wait for your order. That move is getting mixed reviews from parents who'd like to actually speak to their children at mealtimes, but hey -- it can buy you 15 minutes of tranquillity.

4. Mobile spyware. If you've been plagued by slow service on the days the manager is out, take heart. These bad customer-service experiences are ending at some restaurants thanks to the MobileCamViewer. Now, the owner or manager can check on whether workers are slacking from wherever they roam, with this free iPhone app. Five Guys Burgers and Fries is among the chains implementing this mobile spyware option to keep those hourly wage workers on their toes.

5. Google wallet. Soon, you won't have to remember your purse or wallet along with you -- you'll pay for your restaurant meal with your smartphone and Google Wallet. Dairy Queen, Subway, Jamba Juice and Peet's Coffee are among the chains that have already announced they now accept Google Wallet.

Of course, restaurant technology still has a ways to go. I'm still waiting for the day they figure out how to beam the food directly into my stomach. Faxing me a pizza would be nice, too.